8 Similar Alternatives to Airbnb (Get the Full Review) (2023)

I'll say it, I haven't had much luck finding good places on Airbnb. It's not a lack of effort. I've often started my search for a vacation rental on Airbnb, but soon ended up elsewhere.

My favorite vacation rental website is VRBO. I have stayed in VRBO properties 6 times. The main reason I love VRBO is the excellent selection. The website is also super easy to use.

If you're not a fan of Airbnb and are interested in Airbnb alternatives, you've come to the right place. Our list only includes services that are very similar to Airbnb. We do not list every type of accommodation website, e.g. B. for long-term executive stays or hotels. The 5 following services really work like Airbnb, each with a unique flavor and quirks.

Before we get to the list, I'll explain what Airbnb is just to bring you up to speed.

Airbnbcame up with such an innovative idea in 2008 when they started a business for travelers. Not only the backpackers, but also the hosts earn many advantages through Airbnb. If you've heard the name before, that's because it's known worldwide as it has a huge network in around 34,000 cities. There are many other similar alternatives if you are looking for similar websites or accommodation offers.

Here is our list of excellent Airbnb alternatives.

Related: The 3 Best RV Sharing Websites|Trip Adviser-Alternativen|How to successfully rent out your holiday apartment (7 insider tips)

1.FlipKey

The owner ofFlipKeyis a well-known travel review websiteTripAdvisor. They cover a variety of top travel destinations around the world. It is reputable as it is owned byTripAdvisor; This is a popular reviewer of travel destinations along with hotels/accommodations.

FlipKey says they have nearly 300,000 rental listings in more than 11,000 cities. It is one of the main Airbnb competitors with various national and international offers.

For travelers:

It's as easy for guests to book a stay as it is on any other website. You can make your booking instantly by entering your details, payment information and sending a message to the property owner. FlipKey offers accommodations like a bath house, villas, beach houses, houses and apartments. They do not offer shared rooms; However, you can find your desired room type by using the right filters. It's important to note that FlipKey is popular for offering private rooms or an entire property for rent.

• Simple and convenient booking system.
• Good choice for traditional holiday rentals.
• Travelers can consider accommodation ratings based on TripAdvisor's top rating system.
• Access to highly rated destinations near the listed accommodation.
• Travelers will be charged additional fees for taxes, housekeeping, service fees and more.
• Booking fees, which range from 5% to 15% of the total rental cost.
• Payment and cancellation policies vary.

For hosts:

Hosts can sign up and become a member for free. Since the site offers a pay-per-booking plan, owners hardly need to keep the availability and listing up to date. A host can respond to inquiries and accept reservations from potential guests.

• Sign up for free to become a member and list properties on the site.
• A processing fee of 3% per booking is to be borne by the host.
• Payments are released 24 hours after guest check-in.
• The site shares expert advice for a perfect listing.
• As part of the FlipKey community, you can get best practice tips from experienced landlords.

Important facts:

• Has over 300,000 rentals.

• Operates in over 11,000 cities and 179 countries.

• Founded in 2007 and acquired by TripAdvisor in August 2008.

2.PASTURE

PASTUREis now part of Homeaway. I used to use VRBO, but now that the backend is identical to Homeaway (same account) I use Homeaway. I've booked fabulous places through VRBO including a fabulous Hawaii vacation.

VRBO is an abbreviated form of Vacation Rentals By Owners, which was launched back in 1995. It is owned by HomeAway, a well-known vacation rental website that also operates a few smaller rental websites. VRBO focuses on the total rental of real estate. Thus, almost every rental is a full-space rental; This means that the guests have the entire property (house/apartment) and no shared rooms.

For travelers:

VRBO is specifically designed for vacation rentalsinstead of business trips. It has over 2 million listings around the globe and offers enough space to turn someone else's property into a vacation home. The average property on VRBO is 1,850 square feet with a backyard.

For guests, like any other vacation rental site, you go through hundreds of thousands of accommodation listings, select dates and approve prices. The price may include additional costs such as a processing fee, a cleaning fee, taxes and a damage waiver fee. You can buy insurance that protects you against accidental damage or covers cancellation.

Many listings come with lots of photos, which helps with booking, but it's not uncommon. Most of these websites offer this. The booking process is very straightforward as long as the hosts are quick to respond to rental requests (mine always have).

• Simple and convenient booking system, including a mobile app.
• Great option for classic apartments suitable for families.
• Same listing and pricing as HomeAway.
• No booking fee.
• Travelers will be charged additional fees for cleaning fee, processing fee, damage waiver fee and taxes.
• Offers additional insurance at the time of booking for a fee.

For hosts:

• VRBO offers 3 options for promising hosts (annual subscription, pay-per-booking and external management service)
• annual subscription–With this service you can rent your property all year round and receive guests at any time of the year.
• Pay per booking–This service helps you rarely have guests/backpackers.
• External administration service or 3^rdParty-Outsourcing–It allows you to browse and have third-party management partners on the site. It's a beneficial option when you want to host but don't have time to manage the list.
• $499 subscription fee, 3% credit card processing fee, 5% pay-per-booking fee.
• Two types of payment options: Advanced Payment Service and Check-in Payment Service
• Prepayment service means payment is transferred to the host's bank account 3-7 business days after booking.
• Check-in payment service transfers payment to host's bank account 3-7 business days after guest check-in.

Important facts:

• Has over 2,000,000 active entries.

• Operating in 190 countries.

• Started in 1995.

3.Wimdu

Wimduis a leading European portal offering holiday homes. This company has recently expanded its portfolio and spread wings around the world with over 300,000 properties in over 100 countries.

In addition to a large number of city apartments, it also offers farmhouses, chalets, houses, boats and tree houses. However, it's important to note that you don't have to be European to be a host or guest through Wimdu.

For travelers:

For guests, a traveler must pay 12% of the booking fee based on the prices of a property they have selected. On rare occasions it may be necessary to pay a cleaning fee or pet fee. Wimdu guests and hosts are protected with a 100% free insurance policy. The cancellation fee varies from property to property and is not published or publicly known.

• Europe's #1 choice for city rentals.
• The booking is made directly with the host.
• Booking fee of 12% of the total rental cost.
• Additional fees for a cleaning fee and pet fee may apply depending on the rental booked.
• Covered with 100% free insurance policy, except within the US and Canada.

For hosts:

Wimdu tends to be a popular choice for hosts because owners don't have to pay hosting fees. Thus, a host can list their property on the website for free. It is important to know that the host has to pay a 3% processing fee. It facilitates payments between hosts and guests to ensure security and prevent fraud.

• The Wimdu community has 80,000 hosts who earn an average of $1,018 per month from their bookings.
• Hosts can list their properties for free.
• A 3% processing fee per booking.
• Payments will be transferred to the host's bank account 24 hours after the guest's check-in.
• Covered with 100% free insurance policy, except within the US and Canada.
• Rental objects are insured up to €500,000.

Important facts:

• Has over 350,000 apartments and holiday homes.

• Operating in more than 150 countries.

• Founded in March 2011.

4.OneFineStay

Onefinestaywas founded in London in 2010 and deals with luxury residential communities. The rentals they offer offer a homey feel in a hotel-like stay by replacing the towels and toiletries with deluxe versions. Guests don't have an encounter with the owner of the property, as one of the staff members who also works as a concierge greets them upon check-in. Onefinestay ensures that the selected property is well located in a visually beautiful location with consistent cleanliness. After acquisition byAccor-Hotels, the services were expanded to other cities.

For travelers:

For guests, Onefinestay is oneluxurious alternative to Airbnb. Their motto is "Hospitality made to measure". It has 2,500 apartments in 7 major cities in 4 countries. By 2020, the company aims to grow from 7 to 40 cities. Owned by the AccorHotels group, guests have the advantage of staying in exceptional houses, villas and apartments with a wide range of hotel services. It guarantees a homestay in a sumptuous private residence.

• Properties are carefully curated based on a 50-point rating scale that includes cleanliness, accessibility and aesthetics.
• The company ensures a hotel-like service throughout your stay.
• Bespoke services may include: a travel consultant, concierge, WiFi, iPhone for use, fresh linens and housekeeping services.
• A price-performance ratio that is unparalleled even in hotels.
• Offers professional staff, quality experience and superior service.

For hosts:

Unlike other vacation rental websites, hosts here don't have to worry about perfect home decor or quality products provided in the home. The company changes things according to the needs, replacing the bedding with their own.

The company manages all requests from the day of booking to the end of the stay. It includes cleaning, setting up furniture, making beds, providing new towels and shampoos/soaps before a guest arrives. The team is available 24/7. Also, the team assures to come back after guests' departure and make it as perfect as it should be.

• Hosts don't have to do anything at all. All that is required is that they rent exclusively to Onefinestay and be available for rent at least four weeks per year.
• No need to meet and talk to guests.
• Can benefit from 30% discount on Onefinestay homes.
• As part of the Onefinestay community, you can enjoy local events such as art exhibitions, dinners and cooking classes.
• Onefinestay also offers customized host services such as: B. Personal property manager and bespoke maintenance services.
• Backed by a unique insurance policy.

Important facts:

• Has over 2,500 apartments.

• Operating in 4 countries.

• Launched in 2009 and acquired by AccorHotels in April 2016.

5.home away

Found in February 2005,home awayis a vacation rental and online classifieds site where owners pay to advertise their property. After taking many family vacations, Sharples and Carl Shepherd found that finding and getting a rental property online wasn't as easy as booking a hotel room. So they founded the company in Austin, Texas.

For travelers:

It's good for guests to know that HomeAway has more than 2 million incredible rental spots in 190 countries. Guest/traveller fees vary from 4% to 9% of the cost of renting the property. It may vary depending on the type of property. So if you rent a home that costs $600, your HomeAway guest fee would be between $24 and $54.

• Simple and convenient booking system, including a mobile app.
• Great option for classic apartments suitable for families.
• Same listing and pricing as VRBO.
• No booking fee.
• Travelers will be charged additional fees for cleaning fee, processing fee, damage waiver fee and taxes.
• Offers additional insurance at the time of booking for a fee.

For hosts:

HomeAway offers several ways for hosts to pay fees. You can either pay on an annual basis or choose to pay upfront according to the services required. Hosts will have to pay anywhere from $349 to $999 if they opt for an annual plan. You can also pay 0$ and 10-13% per booking which depends on the services guests want. Hosts may charge an additional 2.5% credit card processing fee.

HomeAway offers easy-to-reach customer care services as well as email support. It has a robust rating system that helps people get a good feel for each offer.

• HomeAway offers 3 options for promising hosts (annual subscription, pay-per-booking and external management service)
• annual subscription–With this service you can rent your property all year round and receive guests at any time of the year.
• Pay per booking–This service helps you rarely have guests/backpackers.
• External administration service or 3^rdParty-Outsourcing–It allows you to browse and have third-party management partners on the site. It's a beneficial option when you want to host but don't have time to manage the list.
• Subscription fee from $349 for a Basic package to $999 for a Platinum package, 2.5% credit card processing fee, 10-13% pay-per-booking fee.

Important facts:

• Has over 2,000,000 vacation rentals.

• Operating in 190 countries.

• Founded in February 2005.

At the end of the day, you should know what type of property you want, your budget, space requirements, amenities needs, insurance coverage preferences, and don't forget to put together a travel voucher book (from sites likegutscheinobox.com) to save on various things during your trip.

6. Florida Rental Properties

Florida vacation rentalshelps travelers find and book the perfect vacation rental for their next visit to Florida. Whether it's a week-long trip with your kids, a romantic long weekend with your spouse, or a beach reunion with a large group of friends, they have vacation rentals for every need.

For travelers:

The options for a fun Florida vacation are endless. From Orlando theme parks to exotic Everglades National Park to laid-back Key West, just come to Florida and the rest will take care of itself. A vacation rental gives you the space, privacy and conveniences of home - all too a fraction of the cost of a traditional hotel. If you are planning to visit Florida with a large group, booking a home for everyone will save you hundreds of dollars over a block of hotel rooms. You can also choose from a variety of differently designed houses. Are you looking for vacation rentals by the sea from the owner? you have them Are you hoping for more luxury villa atmosphere? They have that too. If you want to live in a high-rise apartment building in the city center near a sports stadium, you can stay there. You determine the size of the property and its location.

Many of their condos are oceanfront and in quiet areas. Other accommodations even come equipped with high-end amenities like a home theater, private hot tub, patio with grill, or in-house chef. Your vacation wouldn't be complete without WiFi, flat screen TVs, underground pools, and more, eithermarginsoffered by many landlords. Some of their Florida beach rentals are also pet-friendly, so bring all of your family members (even those with four legs) to relax on the beach.

Need more benefits? How about the fact that every rented home has a kitchen, meaning you can save money on home-cooked meals at home instead of expensive dining out? You are also more flexible with the length of stay. If you're looking for a longer trip, many vacation rentals offer long-term stays of a month or more.

For owners:

Florida Rentals started in 2017 with over a decade of experience in the industry. They know what owners want and they know exactly what they are NOT getting from some of the big names on this list.

They work exclusively with real estate in Florida. From the theme parks to the warm Gulf waters and sugar sand beaches, you can't beat a trip to Florida.

They charge NO service or booking fees - saving you 20% over other rental websites. Their team is made up of rental industry experts and they pride themselves on providing travelers with the very best in customer service.

They also allow travelers to get in touch directly with owners, removing communication restrictions typically found on rental sites.

You ONLY have subscription fees.

7. TripAdvisor

NOTE: TripAdvisor's primary vacation rental site is FlipKey (see above). However, we're including TripAdvisor here with its own listing, as you can search and book vacation rentals directly on the TripAdvisor website.

WhileTripAdvisorwidely known for traveler reviews, it now offers the ability to list and book vacation rentals. I have to say the selection is pretty robust. The site jumped in with both feet, capitalizing on its travel-hungry audience and managing to make a big dent in rentals. In fact it is a big player and if you have a vacation rental you need to be listed there too.

Related: 12 TripAdvisor Alternatives (for Travel Research and Reviews)

8. Plum Guide

founded in 2015,plum guideis a vacation rental website that offers only the top 3% of homes from each destination. Every home must pass a rigorous 150-step test, with criteria ranging from "measurable" elements like WiFi speeds and decibel levels, to "tactile" elements like the design aesthetic and conviviality of the space. Although Plum Guide offers only the very best vacation rentals, Plum Guide lists homes in different price ranges, so luxury is within everyone's reach.

For travelers:

The thorough testing that the properties go through takes unnecessary stress off guests and professional photos show customers exactly what they are booking. Plum Guide offers a wide range of homes and has properties in destinations around the world. With a customer-focused team at their side, guests are connected to the home that best suits them, wherever they travel. Many homes offer flexible cancellation policies, and honest valuation of each property avoids unwanted surprises. If there is anything a guest should know, Plum Guide will tell them.

For hosts:

With the 150-step test all properties must pass, being featured on Plum Guide is a true mark of excellence, and the greater demand for quality usually attracts more respectful guests. They also tend to book longer stays, leading to higher occupancy and fewer rebookings. Additionally, hosts can set the security deposit for their home, and since 75% of bookings are made through the customer-centric team, most guests are personally screened prior to their trip.

Plum Guide also does all the administration, creating the listings and syncing the host's pricing and calendar to other platforms via iCal, meaning owners can continue to host elsewhere.

What is my preferred vacation rental booking site?

I have to say Homeaway is my favorite because it's the site I use the most. I recently booked another rental through Homeaway for next summer. I used to use VRBO but it's now the same site as Homeaway (separate sites but you end up with the same account in the backend). When I'm looking for a place to stay, I often search multiple vacation rental websites, but more often than not, I find what I want on Homeaway and book there.

References:

• What is Airbnb and why is it so controversial?
• Airbnb vs VRBO vs HomeAway vs FlipKey comparison of vacation rental websites
• FlipKey vs. Airbnb
• VRBO vs. Airbnb
• Airbnb vs. Wimdu
• The Other Airbnbs: Alternative Home-Sharing Rentals
• FeWo-direkt.com
• Onefinestay
• What it's really like to be a Onefinestay host
• Why was HomeAway founded?
• HomeAway vs Airbnb